"We glamorize the way things used to be," Burton said. "If we want it to be the way it used to be, we can do that. Nobody is going to like it, and that goes for almost everything."

Burton added about today's NASCAR world:

"There are more people who have a chance to win a race, there are more people who have a chance to win a championship, there are more people who can run on the lead lap, there are more people that can lead laps."

I find Burton to be one of the most respected drivers in the garage, so I thought about what he said.

There is a lot to like about NASCAR in 2010:

1. Everyone wants to say how racing isn't as good as it used to be. One of my ideas of a good race is when you have multiple drivers with a shot to win on any given weekend.

Sprint Cup has produced nine winners through the first 21 races. How does that stack up to 25 years ago? There were eight winners through 21 races in 1985, and 15 years ago, there were nine different winners at this point in 1995. Nine drivers had won races in 2005 after 21 races.

2. You have to love what Kevin Harvick is doing this year. No one predicted Harvick would lead the point standings the first week of August. A year ago, Harvick was 22nd in points heading into Watkins Glen.

Harvick's 15 top-10 finishes lead the series, and he has opened a 189-point lead over Jeff Gordon. I know, I know, Harvick will be looking up in the standings once the Chase begins, but let's stay positive.

3. You want surprises? Tell me you saw Jamie McMurray winning the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 this season? He nearly pulled off the win in May in the Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte before finishing second.

4. Denny Hamlin has slumped since his win at Michigan in June, but the fact he has won five races this season despite having knee surgery makes him one of the best stories of the season.

5. Kyle Busch gets on a lot of fans' nerves, but you have to appreciate his talent. He is fun to watch. Busch has won at least two races on all three of NASCAR's top circuits, and he found time to stop by Berlin Raceway in Marne in June to win a race there.

6. If the top five reasons aren't enough to brighten your Sunday afternoons, just think: The Detroit Lions are coming. Makes you thankful for NASCAR, huh?